Great Plains Energy

Great Plains Energy Incorporated is a holding company based in Kansas City, Missouri, whose utilities operate under the name Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCP&L). KCP&L established the holding company on October 1, 2001. Great Plains Energy also owns Strategic Energy, LLC, an energy management company.

On July 14, 2008, Great Plains Energy acquired the Missouri operations of Aquila, which now operates under the name of its former competitor KCP&L. (Aquila's operations in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska were acquired by the Black Hills Corporation).

History
Key Dates:
 * 1882: Kawsmouth Electric Light Company is founded.
 * 1885: The company reincorporates as Kansas City Electric Light Company.
 * 1900: J. Ogden Armour and partners acquire Kansas City Electric Light Company.
 * 1916: The company is reorganized as Kansas City Light & Power Company.
 * 1923: The company buys Carroll County Electric Company.
 * 1924: Continental Gas & Electric Corporation purchases the controlling interest in Kansas City Power & Light.
 * 1950: The holding company dissolves, leaving Kansas City Power & Light (KCPL) independent.
 * 1977: Construction of Wolf Creek, a nuclear power plant, begins.
 * 2000: KCPL ends merger talks with Western Resources, Inc.
 * 2001: The company reorganizes and forms holding company Great Plains Energy Inc., with its holdings including Kansas City Power & Light Company, Strategic Energy, LLC, and KLT Gas Inc.
 * 2004: Company announces that it is exiting the gas exploration and development business.
 * 2008: Great Plains Energy acquires the Missouri operations of Aquila.

Power portfolio
Out of its total 4,880 MW of electric generating capacity in 2005 (0.46% of the U.S. total), Great Plains produces 70.9% from coal, 19.1% from natural gas, and 10.0% from oil. Great Plains owns power plants in Kansas and Missouri.

Existing coal-fired power plants
Great Plains owned 7 coal-fired generating stations in 2005, with 3,462 MW of capacity. Here is a list of Great Plains's coal power plants:

In 2006, Great Plains Energy's 4 coal-fired power plants emitted 26.5 million tons of CO2 and 53,000 tons of SO2.

Coal plants under construction

 * Iatan 2

Contact Details
Phone: (816) 556-2200 Website: http://www.greatplainsenergy.com/

Related SourceWatch Articles

 * Kansas and coal
 * Missouri and coal
 * United States and coal
 * Global warming